ChrisCairns
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2001
I've had a health problem for about 6 years. It's called Barrett's Syndrome. It's caused by many years of acid reflux burning away the lining in the esophagus. Once this lining is burned away the esophagus is unprotected from whatever goes down the throat and into the stomach. It's a pre-cancerous condition.
They found this when I went to the doc 6 years ago about my constant heartburn. I'd always had heartburn and just considered it a side affect from heavy drinking.
For the past 6 years I've had to go yearly to a specialist for a "camera job." They'd stick a camera down my throat and take pictures and at the same time take chunk of my esophagus in order to do a biopsy.
Today I went for the results of my latest biopsy....of course fearing the worse, as I do each time, of finally hearing the words, "You have esophageal cancer."
The first words the doctor spoke were "Your biopsy looks good but....." and at this point I stopped breathing.
"We can't find any evidence of Barrett's."
Wowzer. After questioning him a little he simply said the pathologist said there wasn't any evidence of Barrett's.
Perhaps I never had this condition at all....since Barretts doesn't heal.....and they screwed up. But who cares. I am officially no longer waiting for cancer to appear.....lol.
Hey, now I can make some long term decisions.
Yep, decision made....tomorrow I'm going to fill up my tank.
They found this when I went to the doc 6 years ago about my constant heartburn. I'd always had heartburn and just considered it a side affect from heavy drinking.
For the past 6 years I've had to go yearly to a specialist for a "camera job." They'd stick a camera down my throat and take pictures and at the same time take chunk of my esophagus in order to do a biopsy.
Today I went for the results of my latest biopsy....of course fearing the worse, as I do each time, of finally hearing the words, "You have esophageal cancer."
The first words the doctor spoke were "Your biopsy looks good but....." and at this point I stopped breathing.
"We can't find any evidence of Barrett's."
Wowzer. After questioning him a little he simply said the pathologist said there wasn't any evidence of Barrett's.
Perhaps I never had this condition at all....since Barretts doesn't heal.....and they screwed up. But who cares. I am officially no longer waiting for cancer to appear.....lol.
Hey, now I can make some long term decisions.
Yep, decision made....tomorrow I'm going to fill up my tank.
